In Vitro Evaluation of the Anti-Dermatophytic Activity of Medicinal Plant-Derived Products

Abstract

Dermatophytes are a group of closely related fungi which are able to invade the keratinized tissue skin, hair and nail. In this study different medicinal plants like Melaleuca alternifolia, Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Azadirachta indica, Citrus limonum, Curcuma longa, were used as antifungal agent against different dermatophyte species. All dermatophyte species were found sensitive for Melaleuca alternifolia, Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum. These medicinal plants showed very good results as antifungal against dermatophytes while Azadirachta indica and Citrus limonum were moderate sensitive and Curcuma longa did not show any zone of inhibition around the well. This study provides a scientific validation for the use of these medicinal plants in the treatment of dermatophytic infection and could be used in future for dermatophytic infection and other skin infection.